Bradley van den Berg - 2014 Judge
Caesarstone Kitchen Design Competition 2014 Judge
BRADLEY VAN DEN BERG
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF CARDOVA
CARDOVA IS A TV PRODUCTION COMPANY SPECIALISING IN LIFESTYLE ENTERTAINMENT
What is your design background?
My career commenced 11 years ago with Top Billing and have since produced many advertising funded programmes such as Expresso Morning Show, Top Travel, Doctors Orders, Hayden Quinn South Africa and Win A Home.
My design background is in the TV and print platforms – I have a passion for design and most of the content produced focused on innovation and trends. Have been fortunate with my work to travel the world interviewing top international designers and filming at London 100% Design, Maison Objet, London Design Junction and more.
My journey has led me to take on the role of creative director of the Top Billing inserts, décor editor of the Top Billing Magazine, as well as the creative director of the Expresso Morning Show studio and My Top Billing Dream Home apartment.
Describe a memorable design project you were involved in recently.
Recently I’ve been involved in two interesting design projects – these include Expresso Morning Show studios and My Top Billing Dream Home competition.
Expresso Morning Show studios is a home that viewers wake up to see their favourite personalities in every morning. The Expresso home is a national showroom for many top designers to feature their innovations. The studio is constantly changing with fresh and unique styles keeping up with the trends every season.
My Top Billing Dream Home was a competition in 2013 whereby one fortunate viewer won a dream apartment designed by Stefan Antoni. Everybody dreams of living the Top Billing dream – a home featuring the best possible designs, wardrobe, garden, architecture, and furniture. SABC 3 and Top Billing made this dream possible with one of the biggest prize giveaways on TV.
The success of this competition brought upon a stand alone show called Win A Home launching on SABC3 in August 2014 – one fortunate viewer will stand a chance of winning a penthouse apartment at Steyn City. This show will feature top SA designers and products.
What does your dream kitchen look like?
My dream kitchen is one that touches on the senses and doesn’t feel like a kitchen. It is seen as a practical piece of furniture and hides the necessities of a kitchen away. It’s a social place of gathering and has the ability to be a technology hub with an opportunity to display gadgets with an ease of connectivity. The kitchen needs to work with the chef and have a good flow with opening and closing cupboards allowing great food preparation.
What are you hoping to see in the design entries this year?
I’m hoping to see some innovative usage of Caesarstone. My ideal would be to see a practical piece of furniture and not a kitchen in the traditional sense.
Why would you encourage kitchen designers and architects to enter this competition?
We have such incredible local talent that matches the rest of the world. South Africans don’t need to import kitchens for great quality and design – we have innovation and amazing creatives in our own backyard. This competition is a great platform to showcase local designs.